From Seed to Pre-IPO, a team of 5 to 56, and ideas transformed into mass products—these milestones encapsulate my journey as a founding member of a tech startup generating multi-million-dollar annual revenue, now preparing its IPO application for the Korean Exchange (KRX).

Joining a startup at 20 shifted my trajectory from engineering toward becoming a global business leader dedicated to amplifying technology’s real-world impact—a resolve consistent with the unwavering mission I set for myself at 17.

As a former engineering student turned business professional, I see HKLF as one of the most inspiring forums globally for exchanging insights with world-class academic leaders. Attending HKLF 2023 allowed me to generate new ideas and foster enduring relationships, including my ongoing connection with Hugo Mak. Participating again in 2025 would strengthen these valuable bonds.

My career has specialized in commercializing advanced technologies. Leveraging my current network for collaborative research excites me, as does seeing these ventures create meaningful impact. Planning to pursue an MBA at a top U.S. school, and equipped with my Bachelor of Science, I believe I can uniquely contribute to the forum. I still remember Jackie joking, "If I commercialize something from a patent, Jiwon shall be the right person."

Hanyang University

Although joining a startup early prevented me from consistently pursuing formal academics to the extent of my peers in doctoral programs, I’ve continually advanced my education through personal interest and effort.

Most notably, since participating in the 2023 forum, I’ve completed my Bachelor of Science degree. After switching to part-time enrollment in 2024, I earned 47 credits, including 23 credits in the spring semester with a perfect GPA, earning a merit-based scholarship. My research, “Data-Driven Optimal Control for Cost-Effective Outdoor Air Conditioner Operation,” proposed statistical methods for HVAC optimization and won the Excellence Prize at the Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering’s Undergraduate Project Competition.

From 2019 to 2021, I served as a software engineer fulfilling my mandatory alternative military service. I applied my expertise to streamline internal processes and enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, I developed an automated data analysis system by integrating Python APIs with optical software to support R&D decisions and designed interactive product-marketing tools, including an app for showcasing optical devices and a UX-optimized website.

My current passion is artificial intelligence. Leveraging my programming skills, I’m developing frameworks to automate data collection, processing, and distribution, using RAG techniques for workplace automation.